Lifting apparatus



June. 3, 1941. F. PIGNANLETAL.

LIFTING APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W ni f m WW l FTP *JT Fe June 3, 1941o F, PlGNANI ETAL .2,244,571 I LIFTING APPARATUS AFiled July 5, .1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented `une 4 NT omas LIFTING APPARATUS Frank Pignani, Marsteller, and John Ferretti,-

Hastings, Pa.

, Application my 5, 1940, serial No. 344,144

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a lifting apparatus, and it is an object of the invention to'provide a device of this kind includingV a iiexible load member together with means. for causing said load member to travel in one direction to; provide a lift or pull with further means to permit said flexible load member to be readily moved in the opposite direction independently of the first named means.

It is also an object oi the invention to provide a device of this kind including a driven member with which a ilexible load` member is operatively engaged with meansvfor driving said driven member in a direction to allow the flexible load member to impose a pull or lift, said operating means including a clutch mechanism whereby the operation of the drivenmember may be readily and conveniently regulated and controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which is especially adapted lor use as a jack for use in connection with motor driven vehicles and wherein means are provided, when the device is so used, for `conveniently and effectively maintaining the same in effective working position.

'Iheinvention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of our improved lifting apparatus whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of our invention willhereinafter be deiinitely claimed.

In order that our invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings,` wherein:

Figure 1 is a view inelevation with portions broken awayof a lifting apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of our invention and in assembly for use as an automobile jack; Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional View on a reduced scale on substantially the line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional `view with portions in elevation taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 with the jack prop omitted;

Figure '4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a View in end elevation of the tubular axle herein embodied and particularly illustrating the clutch ilange carried thereby and the mounting for certain of the clutch discs;

Figure 6 is an elevational View vof one of the clutch discs herein employed. f

j As `disclosed in the accompanying drawings, our

, improved lifting apparatus comprises a body l formed to provide a socket 2 which may be threaded upon or otherwisedetachably secured to the upper end portion of a supporting prop P when it is desired to use the apparatus as a jack and more particularly as an automobile jack;

The body l is provided with a pair of upstandingspaced plates 3 arranged side by'side and each of said plates 3 being substantially at. The plates `@are also substantially duplicate and of such4 conguration and dimensions to enable the same to beeiectively employedin the assembly of the various'parts: The top portions 4 ofr the plates-3 are restricted and bridging said restricted portions and securely attached thereto is afrod 5 with which is freely engaged a `hook 6. The hook `6 provides means whereby the apparatus maybe suitably supported when it is desired to use the same independently of the prop. The plates 3 immediately below the portions 4 are secured by the interposed plate l' herein disclosed as integral with the plates 3. This plate l, as `illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, is relatively long and is disposed on a predetermined curvature and more particularly provides'a means for maintaining the iiexible load member L in eiiective engagement with the driven member D. The 4driven member D is mounted upon a tubular sleeve 8 which bridges the space between the plates`3 and rotatably extends therethrough. The curvature of the plate 'l hereinbefore referred to is substantially concentric to this sleeve 8.

The sleeve 8 is of a length to extend a material distance outwardly beyond one of the plates l3 and said extended portion is provided with a surrounding'and outstanding iiange 9. The sleeve B'has a' portion Ill extending outwardly beyond the flange 9 and such portion I0 is angular incross section as particularly illustrated in Figure 5 o-f the drawings.

The driven member D, as herein disclosed, comprises a sprocket wheel xed by the locking screw I l or otherwise as may be preferred to the tubular sleeve 8 for rotation therewith.

The load member L comprises a chain which interlocks in the usual manner with the driven member D.

Snugly engaging within and disposed through the sleeve 8 is a shaft I2. This shaft I2 is of a length to extend beyond the opposite ends of the sleeve S and carried by the extended end portion of the shaft I2 adjacent to the flange 9 of the sleeve 8 is a ratchet wheel I4 of desired radius. The shaft I2 is at the axial center of the ratchet wheel I4 and said shaft I2 is provided therethrough with an axial bore I5 which is continued through the axial center of the wheel I4. The wheel I4 is provided with an inwardly disposed peripheral flange I8. flange I6 is provided thereaoross at circumferen The inner surface of the tially spaced points with the outstanding ribs- Il which are received within the properly positioned recesses I9 in the peripheral portions of the friction discs 2i). Each of these discs4 20 is provided with a central opening 2| of a diameter to permit the disc 24 to freely surround the extended portion Iil of the sleeve 8.

Alternating with the discs 20 are the discs 22. Each of these discs 22 is provided with a central opening 23 conforming to the cross sectional configuration of the portion I!) of thesleeve 8 and through which said portion I!! is snugly engaged. It is, therefore, believed to be apparent that the discs 22 are locked to the sleeve 8 for rotation therewith and it is to be particularly noted in Figure 3 of the drawings that the diameter of the discs 22 is such as to have their peripheries terminate inwardly of the ribs I'I.V

The shaft I2 is also of a length 4to allow the same to have endwise movement so tha-t the alternating discs 20 and 22 may be caused to have frictional contact under varying tensions or to be *t so sufficiently free of each other to permit rota- 'i tion of the sleeve 8 upon the shaft I2 independently of the shaft I2, It is believed to be obvious that by drawing the ratchet wheel I4 toward the clutch ange 9 the discs 20 and 22 will be brought into such frictional engagement to assure the rotation of the shaft I2 and the sleeve 8 as a unit, or that said frictional contact between the discs 2li and 22 can be so regulated and modified to allow control rotation of the sleeve 8 i around the shaft I2. Y

The end portion of the shaft I2 remote from the ratchet wheel I4 threads through a nut 24 which has close Contact with the adjacent end of the sleeve 8. The nut 24 is maintained against outward movement on the shaft I2 upon rotation of the nut 24 by a loop bracket 25 suitably an chored to the outer face of the adjacent plate 3. By having the nut 24 held against movement lengthwise of the shaft I2, rotation of such nut 24 will result in endwise movement of the shaft l2 with corresponding movement of the ratchet wheel i4 whereby the action of the discs 2! and 22 is regulated and controlled.

The loop bracket 25 is provided with an opening 24 through which is freely directed a cylindrical sleeve 2l. This sleeve 2'.' is provided in the outer portion of its wall with the openings 28 through which a suitable implement may be inserted to facilitate the desired rotation of the nut 24. It is to be stated, however, that in many instances this sleeve 2l may be grasped by the fingers of a hand.

Extending through the bore of the shaft l2 is a bolt 23, the head 3S of which is within the sleeve 2l, Interposed between this head 30 and Athe adjacent end of the shaft I2 is a washer 3I. This washer 3i is of a diameter in excess of the adjacent threaded end portion of the shaft I2 so that the peripheral portion of said washer 3l will contact with the outer face of the nut 24 i the section 4I.

and thus limit the extent of movement of the ratchet wheel I4 away from the flange 9 The bolt 29 has its free end extending beyond the ratchet wheel I4. The outer face of the ratchet Wheel I4 in its central part is formed to provide a circular post a which affords a mounting for one of the arms 32 of the ratchet lever R. A second arm 33 of this lever R is freely engaged with the sleeve 8 between. the flange 9 and the adjacent plate 3. The arms 32 and 33 rotatably support therebetween a pawl 34 which is constantly urged in a well known manner toward the teeth 35 of the ratchet wheel I4 by a suitably mounted spring 36. The teeth 35 of the wheel I4 and the pawl 34 are so arranged that Vupon downward swinging movement of the lever R the Wheel I4 may be caused to intermittently rotate. It is believed to be obvious that upon upward swinging movement of the lever R the pawl 34 will readily ride over the teeth 35. Also coacting with the teeth 350i the `wheel I4 is a holding p awl 31 constantly urged Ytoward the wheel I4 by thesuitably mounted spring 38. .As is believed to` be obvious, .this pawl 31 provides meansyto lock the wheel ,I4 against reverse or anti-clockwise rotation.

The bolt 29 isrheld in applied positionby a conventional nut 39 which threads upon thebolt 29 outwardlyof the ratchet wheel I4. Interposedbetween this nut,39 ,and the wheel ,I4 is a washer 4B. This washer is of such diameter as to overlie the portion of the leverarm 32 which is operatively engaged with ,the ratchet `wheel I4 whereby said arm 3,2 is maintained in desired working position,

v The prop P, as herein elongatedsections 4I withinthe other. The lower section 4I of the prop P has its outer end freely connected, as at43, with a base plate 44. The upper section 42 is provided therealong with a slot 45 having therealong spaced recesses 4E in whichv is selectively engaged an outstanding pinl41 ,carried by This pin 4.7may readilytravel along, the slot 45. By means of these recesses 4S and pin 41 theV prop P may be varied as to length within certain limitations. It is also to be noted that byV having the lower section 4I loosely connected, as at 43, with the base 44 the prop P may be angularly disposed to facilitate the proper and effective placing of the apparatus when used as a jack.

One end portion of the flexible load member or chain II carries a hook 48 to be engaged with the work while the oppositeend portion of the member or chain Il'carries an enlargement 49 toprovide means to prevent the complete Withdrawal of the member or chain I I from the Ydriving member cr sprocket, Y'

Pivotally connected, as at 50, with the lower extremity of the upper section 42 of the prop P are the elongated brace rods 5I. These rods are preferably four in number and vequidistantly spaced around the prop, These brace rods 5I providemeans'whereby the prop P may be effectively Vheld in vdesired working position and in a manner to facilitate the operation of the apparatus as a whole.

Itis believed to be obvious that with the hook 48- engaged with thework drawing of the ratchet wheel I4 toward the ange 9 will result inrsuch frictionalengagement between the discs 2i) and 22 to cause the shaft I2 and sleeve 8 to rotate in unison upon manipulation of the ratchet lever R. This rotation of the shaft I2 will cause the disclosed, comprises two and 42 telescopingone Y member orv chain1` II to impose desired 1iftor pull upon the work. However, when it is desired to return th hook or to draw out the same for effective engagement with the work, it is only necessary to tui'ri the nut 24 in a direction to move the ratchet wheel III away from the, flange 9 a distance sufficient to release the discs 20 and 22 from frictional contact. After this has been accomplished the member or chain I I may be readily and freely drawn. After the -apparatus has been used to lift a load, said load can be caused to lower at desired speed as determined by the braking action afforded by the contact of the discs and 22 and which contact, of course, is determined by the proper manipulation of the nut 2t.` Y

One of the plates 3 in its upper portion is provided with an outstanding pin 52 which provides a stop to be A'engaged by the plate 32 of the ratchet lever R to limit the extent of upward swinging movement of said lever.

From the foregoing descriptionit is thought to be obvious that a lifting apparatus constructed in accordance with our invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that our invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason we do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the precise arrangement and forma-l tion of the several parts herein shown in carrying out our invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

We claim:

.1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body having spaced walls, a sleeve rotatably supported by said walls and bridging the space therebetween, a flexible load member operatively engaged with said sleeve to impose pull upon the `flexible member when the sleeve is rotated in one direction, said sleeve being of a length to extend outwardly beyond one of the spaced walls, a clutch flange carried by the extended portion of the sleeve but spaced inwardly from the adjacent end of the sleeve, a shaft freely insertible through the sleeve and extending beyond `opposite ends thereof, a second clutch flange carried by the shaft at a point outwardly of the extended end of the sleeve, friction discs interposed between the flange of the sleeve and the second clutch member carried yby the shaft, said discs being alternately keyed to the sleeve and second clutch member, means associated with the end portion of the shaft remote from the second clutch member for moving the shaft endwise to shift the second clutch member of the shaft toward or from the flange on the sleeve, and means for rotating the shaft.

2. An .apparatus of the class described comprising a body having spaced walls, a sleeve rotatably supported by said walls and bridging the space therebetween, a flexible load member operatively engaged with said sleeve to impose pull upon the flexible member when the sleeve is rotated in one direction, said sleeve being of a length to extend outwardly beyond one of the spaced walls, a clutch flange carried by the extended portion of the sleeve but spaced inwardly from the adjacent end of the sleeve, a shaft freely insertible through the sleeve and extending beyond opposite ends thereof, a second clutch member carried by the shaft at a point outwardly of the extended end of the sleeve, friction discs interposed between the flangeof the sleeve and the second clutch member carried by the shaft, said discs being alternately keyed to the sleeve and second clutch member, means associated with the end portion of the shaft remote from the second clutch member for moving the shaft endwise to shift thesecoid clutch mem-` ber of the shaft toward or from the flange on the sleeve, means for rotating the shaft,` and means carried by the said second end portion of the shaft for limiting the movement of the clutch member on the shaft away from the flange on the sleeve;

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body having spaced walls, a sleeve rotatably supported by said walls and bridging the space therebetween, a flexible load member operatively engaged with said sleeve to impose pull upon the flexible member when the sleeve is rotatedin one direction, said sleeve being of a length to extend outwardly spaced walls, a clutch flange carried by the extended portion of the sleeve but spaced inwardly from the adjacent end of the sleeve, a shaft freely insertible through the sleeve and extending beyond opposite ends thereof, a second clutch member 'carried by the shalt at a point outwardlyof the extended end of the sleeve, friction discs interposed between the flange of the sleeve and the second `clutch member carried by the shaft, said discs being alternately keyed tothe sleeve and second clutch member, means associated with the end portion of the shaft remote from the second clutch member for moving the shaft endwise to shift the second clutch member of the shaft toward or from the flange on the sleeve, means for rotating the shaft, and means carried by the second end portion of the shaft for Contact with the adjacent end of the sleeve for limiting the extent of movement of the clutch member carried by the shaft in a direction away `from the flange on the sleeve.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body having spaced walls, a sleeve rotatably supported by said walls and bridging the space therebetween, a flexible load member operatively engaged with said sleeve to impose pull upon the flexible member when the sleeve is rotated in one direction, said sleeve being of a length to extend outwardly beyond one of the spaced walls, a clutch flange carried by the extended portion of the sleeve but spaced inwardly from the adjacent end of the sleeve, a shaft ireely insertble through the sleeve and extend- :ng beyond opposite ends thereof, a second clutch member carried by the shaft at a point outwardly of the extended end of the sleeve, friction discs interposed between the flange of the sleeve and the second clutch member carried by the shaft, said discs being alternately keyed to the sleeve and second clutch member, means associated with the end portion of the shaft remote from the second clutch member for moving the shaft endwise to shift the second clutch member of the shaft toward or from the flange on the sleeve, the clutch member on the shaft constituting a ratchet wheel, a lever mounted for swinging movement upon the extended portion of the sleeve, and a pawl carried by the lever coacting with the ratchet wheel for intermittently rotating the shaft upon swinging movement of the lever.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body having spaced walls, a sleeve rotatably supported by said walls and bridging the beyond one of the` 4 space therebetween, a iiexible load member operatively engaged with said sleeve to impose pull upon the exible member when the sleeve is rotatedin one direction, said sleeve being of a iength to extend outwardly beyond one of the spaced walls, a clutch flange carried by the extended portion of the sleeve but spaced inwardly from the adjacent end of the sleevefa shaft freely insertible through the sleeve and extending beyond opposite ends thereof, a second clutch member carried by the shaft at a point outwardly of the extended end of the sleeve, friction discs interposed between the flange of the sleeve and the second clutch member .carried by the shaft, said discs being alternately keyed to the 4sleeve and second clutch member, a nut threading upon the second end portion ofthe shaft, a member coacting with the nut providing means in connection with the adjacent plate of the body Vfor holding the nut substantially against movement in a direction lengthwise of the Shaft, rotation of the nut imposing endwise movement on the shaft.

6. An apparatus of the class described cornprising a body having spaced walls, a sleeve rotatably supported by said walls and bridging the space therebetween, a flexible load member operatively engaged with said sleeve to impose pull upon the exible member when the sleeve is .rotated in one direction, said sleeve being of 'a length to extend outwardly beyond one of the spaced walls, a clutch ange carried by the extended portion of the sleeve but spaced inwardly from the adjacent end of the sleeve, a shaft freely insertible through the sleeve and extending beyond opposite ends thereof, a second clutch member' carried by the shaft at a point outwardly of the extended end of the sleeve, friction discs interposed between the flange of the sleeve and the second clutch member carried by the shaft, said discs being alternately keyed to theY sleeve and second clutch member, a nut threading upon the second end portion of the shaft, a member coacting with the nut providing means in connection with the adjacent' plate cf the body 'for holding the nut substantially against movement in a direction lengthwise of the shaft, rotation of the nut imposing endwise movement on the shaft, and means carried by the nut for rotating the same.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body having spaced walls, a sleeve rotata-bly supported by said walls and bridging the space therebetween, a flexible load member operatively engaged with said sleeve to impose pull upon the flexible member when the sleeve is rotated :n one direction, said sleeve being of a length to extend outwardly beyond one of the spaced walls, a clutch ange carried by the'extended portion of the sleeve but spaced inwardly from the adjacent end of the sleeve, a shaft freely insertible through the sleeve and extending beyond opposite ends thereof, a second clutch member' carried by the shaft at a point outwardly ofthe extended end of the sleeve, friction discs interposed between the flange of the sleeve and the second clutch member carried by the shaft, said discs being alternately keyed to the sleeve and second clutch member, a nut threading upon the second end portion of the shaft, a member coacting with the nut providing means in connection with the adjacent plate of the body for holding the nut substantially against movement in a direction lengthwise of the shaft, rotation of the nut imposing endwise movement on the shaft, the member enacting with the nut comprising a loop bracket, and a sleeve carried by the nut and extending out freely through said bracket to provide means for rotating the nut.

FRANK PIGNANI. JOHN FERRETTI. 

